Many studies have reported that taking certain types of medications with coffee and tea significantly affects the absorption, distribution, and metabolism of these drugs, which can reduce their effectiveness or even lead to side effects. Jacqui Lee, a drug safety officer and information pharmacist at Numark, told The Sun: "Caffeine can interact with many medications, which can cause side effects or reduce drug effectiveness. Patients should keep their caffeine intake fairly stable and moderate to alleviate any side effects or interactions with regular medications."
1. **Ephedrine**
Ephedrine is a medication used to treat low blood pressure when the blood pressure against the artery walls is too low. Jacqui warned that combining this drug with coffee could cause serious side effects. She stated: "It is known that ephedrine, when combined with caffeine, can lead to hypertensive crises and subarachnoid hemorrhage (blood leakage into the space between the inner and middle layers of tissue covering the brain), and in some cases, psychosis."
2. **ADHD Medications**
Medications used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are stimulants, a class of drugs that enhance brain activity. Stimulants like amphetamines or ADHD medications can enhance effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure and anxiety when combined with caffeine, which is a stimulant itself.
3. **Asthma Medications**
Bronchodilators are a type of medication that makes breathing easier by relaxing the muscles in the lungs and widening the airways. They are often used to treat conditions like asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a group of lung diseases usually caused by smoking. Caffeine can actually act as a mild bronchodilator. According to Jacqui: "Bronchodilators - such as theophylline - alongside caffeine-containing beverages can raise theophylline levels. As such, removing caffeine-containing foods from the diet may reduce the effective duration of each theophylline dose."
4. **Insomnia Medications**
Benzodiazepines are a type of sedative medication that reduces body and brain functions. They can be used to help treat anxiety and insomnia. Jacqui warned against taking caffeine with such medications, as caffeine seems to counteract the sedative and possibly anti-anxiety effects of these drugs.
5. **Blood Pressure Medications**
Beta-blockers, such as propranolol and atenolol, and calcium channel blockers, including verapamil, are used to lower high blood pressure. Jacqui noted that both can interact with caffeine. She warned: "Caffeine may oppose the effects of beta-blockers and increase blood pressure." Calcium channel blockers can increase blood caffeine concentration. Consequently, beverages like tea, coffee, cola, and some caffeine-containing medications, such as analgesics, can cause adverse effects when combined with medications like nervousness or insomnia.
6. **Antibiotics**
Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent certain types of bacterial infections. According to Jacqui, it may be beneficial to reduce caffeine intake when taking a common class of antibiotics. She explained: "Antibiotics from the quinolone group, such as ciprofloxacin, may enhance the effects of caffeine."
7. **Diuretics**
Jacqui mentioned that diuretics are medications to be cautious of when taken with coffee. She said: "The effects of diuretics, such as furosemide, can be amplified when taken with caffeine, as caffeine also has diuretic properties."
